Wheel chair



J. A. PADJEN WHEEL CHAIR Nov. 27, 1951 5 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 11, 1947 Fig.

I I1 ventar John A Pad/en Nov. 27, 1951 A, PADJEN 2,576,413

WHEEL CHAIR Filed Sept. 11, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I i \\l 150 l F 19. 2 I I 62 l I54 ,2, I I l4 Inventor John A. Pad en Attorneys J. A. PADJEN Nuv. 27, 1951 WHEEL CHAIR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 11, 1947 Fig. 3.

J- A. PADJEN WHEEL CHAIR Nov. 27, 1951 ts-Sheet 4 5 Shea Filed Sept. 11, 1947 v Inventor John A. Pad/en v By 2gb a WWW J. A. PADJEN WHEEL CHAIR Nov. 27, 1951 Filed Sept. 11, 194'? 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l l iii??? Im m A74 I nvenfor I John A. Pad/en By Ema Patented Nov. 27, 1951 2,576,413 WHEEL CHAIR AwiiaimMfavalerutah Applicationiseptember:11, 1941;seasonin s 4 Claims." (01. 280-250) i This invention relates to new and useful im provements in wheel chairs and the primary objct of itfie present inventionds to provide a pair of aXles supporting wheels and novel and improved'means for imparting differential speeds to the axles. l I

Another important object of the. present in}- lemon-ism provide a wheelphair includinga wheeled framaa guide wheel for the frame and age-same mechanism conveniently mounted on frame for-quickly operating-said guide wheel with great-ease to the occupant.

Another obiect" of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair including airle casings, manual-means: operativelyconnected to the casings for rotatin g-thesame-and novel and improved'Qmeans"carried by the casing and con nected: to 1 the axles, rotatablY mounted within the casings, for impartingdifferential speed thereto. 7

Another object of the present invention is to provide; a wheelchair-- including a frame supportinga back r est, seat and foot-rest so designed as If t6 give the greatest comfort to the occupant of the same.

A fi'irther object of th e present invention is the provision of a wheelchair'the partsof {which are quickly-and readily disassembled facilitating convenient shipping or'storingof the same when not-in use, 7 p I Afsti'll further aim ofthe present invention is-to provide a wheel-chair 'that is -simple. andpractioal in construction, strong and reliable" use neatand attractive in. appearan c'e, relative- 1y: inexpensive to manufacture; and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended;

details of construction and; operation asim ere fullyhereinafter described and claimed, ref

erence being had to the acconlpanyingrdravvings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer tos ike partsthrm ghout, and inwhich:

Figure-'1 is a side elevational-vievv of; thewher chair} constructed in; accordance with the presentinvention Figure 2 {is a front; elevational view ofwFig ure:

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical j sectional view of-the mechanism-forrotating the axle casings anddifierential- -housing;-

Figurefi is a verticalsectionalview taken-sub 'Ifhexear ends 3 q of legsgonlioriaontal; portions Other objects and advantagesreside the,

stantiiallvpn the plane orse'quon (sf-'6' 01mg ei i v t.

Figure '7 is; an enlargedfragmentarvside elevatmnai view showing the manner in which the crank handle of the propelling mechanism is adjust/ably mounted on the chair frame, and with parts brokenaway andsho'wn in section;

Figure fi 'is'a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken-through the seat portion of the wheel chairandf the'tool chest, and with parts of the:

chair-flame broken away and'shown inisection';

Figure 9J'is an enlargedtransverse vertical sectional view showing the meen 'm'sni for impart infgfdiiierential speed to the axles of driven wheels and: with parts thereof broken away and shown'in section;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantiallvon thepl'an'e of section line Ni -l0 of Figiire 9';- l

Figure 11; is! a vertical sectional view taken-- substantially on the pane of section n'n'ew l-l l' of F ignre 9 Figure'12" is'a verticalsectional view taken sub stanti'ally on the" plane of section line l2-I2' of l jig ure 9}; v i v V Figure 13" is an enlarged fragmentary side el e vational viewshowingthe manner in whichithe" foot rest'issecured to the chair frame; and, v

Figure l'is a vertical'sectionall View taken; substantially on the plane of 5 section line l4--I 4 li. 9

Referring now to frame generallycomprisinga pair of spaced" parallel tubular side frame members each havee ye ied; Q t Q i l nd? cr zpni e tion 26 At the junctureof the vertical portions time side frarriemfembers with their lower horizontalportions, thereare provided integralloopsor coils 22 that permit a slight recoil fmovement of the portions 20-.

secured t9 thelovver periphery of each of the coils 22, is the outwardly turned-{ pgr-tion 24 of-a vertically inclined-V-shapedmember 26 Extending transverselysbetw een mem bers 261is a cross-bar 28 having-its; ends rigid- 1y? secured to members 2 toretain; the; membersdn spaced apart relationship and to -function as a foot-rest for the-user ofthe device-5;

form for the user;

in g the drawings in detanj riere in for the purpose of illustrations there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present "1 28 being elongated are inclined upwardly and converge to form extensions that support a vertically disposed sleeve or bearing 32 in which there is pivotally and removably mounted a vertical pin or member 34. Rigidly secured to the lower portion of pin 34, is a U-shaped member or yoke 36, the lower ends of which support an axle 38 carrying the hub-portion of a preferably pneumatic guide wheel 48.

The numeral 42 represents an upper frame generally comprising an inverted U-shaped member 44 disposed at a vertically inclined angle to support a back-rest 46. The lower ends 48 of member 44, are turned forwardly and horizontally, and are fixedly secured to the vertical portions I8 of the frame I8. These ends 48 are connected by cross-bars 58 on which bears the forward portion of a cushion seat 52, suitably secured to said bar 58. The rear portion of the seat is fixedly secured to a transverse bar 54 recessed in a notch provided in ends 48. The rear ends of horizontal arms or bars I2 and I2 are secured to the member 44 by welding or any other suitable means to further support and retain the backrest at an inclined vertical angle, as shown in Figure 1. Arm I2- is integrally formed with one of the vertical portions I8 whereas the arm I2 is secured at its forward end adjacent the upper end of the other portion I8. Extending transversely between a portion of member 44, is an arcuate brace or cross member 56 disposed adjacent the lower ends of the back-rest 46- and rearwardly from the inclined member 44. Arm

rests-I4 and I4 are detachably secured to the portions I2 and I2 by means of arm rest brackets I 6.

Extending vertically through an aperture provided in the arm rest I4, is an internally threaded sleeve 58 receivably engaging the screwthreaded portion 68 of a crank-handle 62, that extends through the arm I2 of frame I8 and is removably secured to a vertically disposed rod 84 journalled for rotation in an aperture provided in one of the lower arms 48 of frame 42.

'The lower terminal portion of rod 64 is fixed- 1y secured to an arm 66, to which is pivotally mounted one end of a connecting link 68. The opposite end of link 68 is pivoted to the outer end of an arm I8 rigidly secured to member 36. As is obvious from the foregoing structure, a rotation of crank-handle 62 in one direction will pivot arm 66- rearwardly and push link 68 and arm I8 also rearwardly to turn wheel 48 at an angle. By rotating the crank-handle in an opposite direction, the wheel 48 will also be turned in an opposite direction.

Reference is now directed to Figures 9-14 inclusive wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of the; means for imparting differential speed to the forward wheels of the device.

Fixedly secured to the rear of the V-shaped supporting members 26, is an adjustable split clamp I2 supporting ball bearings I4 having grease fittings I6 and removable dirt excluder plates 18.

Journalled for rotation in bearings I4 are the outer ends of a pair of transverse axle casings or bearings 88 on which are rigidly secured by welding or the like, retaining rings or flanges 82 that prevent inward movement of bearings I4 and plates I8 on the casings.

Rigidly secured to the inner adjacent end of casing 88, are differential housing plates 84, one of which is provided with an annular threaded flange 86 that receivably engages the internally threaded end of a differential housing or casing 88 having a grease retainer plug 98. Recesses are provided in the inner periphery of casing 88 to removably engage the reduced terminal portions 92 of a spider pinion pin 94 with looking plates 96 forced into an opening communicating with the recesses to hold the pin 94 in a locked position thereto.

Keyed as at 88, to the inner adjacent ends of a pair of axles I88 journalled for rotation in casings 88, is a pair of differential housing gears I82 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bevel teeth I84 that engage the bevel teeth I86 of a pair of spider pinions I88 journalled on the ends of pin 94.

The outer ends of the casings 88 are externally threaded to engage lock-nuts I I8 bearing against the outer dirt excluder of one of the bearing plates and the outer face of the hub-portion II2 of a sprocket element II4 coupled by pin II6 to a sprocket coupler II8 that is keyed on one end of one of the casings 88, by balls or spherical elements I28, as best shown in Figure 12. The purpose of this sprocket I I4 will be more fully described in the use of the device.

A bushing. I22 carried by the inner periphery of the casings 88 for the axles I88, is retained in position by coil springs or the like I24 frictionally engaging the axles adjacent their outer ends. Keyed as at I 25 to the tapered ends I28 of the axles I08 that project outwardly from the ends of the casings 88, are hubs I28 having hub plates I38 which engage the spokes I32 of the pneumatic forward wheels I34 for the device.

Nuts I36 threadedly engaged on the outer ends of the axles are fitted in an enlarged recess I38 provided in the hub plates. This recess affords means for engaging a suitable tool used in removing the hubs from the axles or the nuts I36 from the ends of the axles.

The hubs I 28 are also provided with a cupshaped member I48 that embraces lock-nuts II8 loosely, to prevent dirt or the like from entering the casing 88.

Reference is now directed to Figures 5-7 Wherein there is disclosed the manner for driving the forward wheels.

An upright I42 projects upwardly from one of the arms 48 and is formed with a loop I44 that is integrally formed with one of the vertical portions I8 to adjustably receive a pair of supporting plates I46 that bear against opposite sides of said looped portion. These plates are connected and supported by a bearing I48 in which there is journalled one end'of a crank handle I58, which in turn, may be operatively connected to any suitable source of power for actuating the sam or which may be actuated manually.

The numeral I52 represents a shield open at its lower portion and provided with a flanged portion I54 that is removably secured to the arm rest I4. A shaft I56 journalled on the shield supports an upper sprocket I58, and the shaft I56 is operatively connected to one end of crankhandle I58. An endless chain I68 connects sprocket I58 to sprocket II4. By adjusting plates I46 vertically on upright I42, the tension in chain I68 may be also adjusted.

Removably secured to the shield I52 and the web-portion l8 of the frame I8 on opposite sides of the device, are angle iron brackets I62 support ing arcuate wheel shields r fenders I64.

Rigidly secured between bar 58 and a further crossbar I66 between arms 48, is a pair of spaced longitudinal parallel guide tracks I68 that slidably engage the outwardly turned flanged portion I of a tool chest I12.

In practical use of the device, by rotating handle I50, sprocket I58 and sprocket i M are likewise rotated causing a rotation of axle bearings 80 and differential housing 88. Since the pin 94 is fixedly mounted in the differential housing, it will also rotate with the differential housing and spider pinions I08 will'engage gears 32 to effect a rotation of the axles Hi0 and wheels I34. Obviously, when the steering mechanism is operated as previously described, to turn Wheels 40, the speed to the respective axles will be differential speeds to permit safe turning of the device in any direc-' tion.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A wheel chair comprising a pair of spaced parallel tubular side frame members each having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, coils at the junctions of said vertical portions with said horizontal portions, an inverted U-shaped seat frame including a pairof leg portions and a web portion joining said leg portions, a horizontally extending arm projecting laterally from each of said leg portions and fixed to said vertical portions, said horizontal portions including upwardly converging extensions, a vertically disposed sleeve supported by said extensions; a wheel supporting yoke having an upstanding portion journalled in said sleeve, means attached to said yoke for turning the wheel yoke, a pair of V-shaped tubular foot platform supporting members fixed to and depending from said coils, a cross-bar terminally secured to said V-shaped tubular members, split clamps, mounted on said V-shaped members, and a wheel axle mounted in said clamps.

2. A wheel chair comprising a pair of spaced parallel tubular side frame members each having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, coils at the junctions of said vertical portions with said horizontal portions, an inverted U-shaped seat frame including a pair of leg portions and a web portion joining said leg portions, a horizontally extending arm projecting laterally from each of said leg portions and fixed to said vertical portions, said horizontal portions including upwardly converging extensions, a vertically disposed sleeve supported by said extensions, a wheel supporting yoke having an upstanding portion journalled in said sleeve, means attached to said yoke for turning the wheel yoke, a pair of V-shaped tubular foot platform supporting members fixed to and depending from said coils, a cross-bar terminally secured to said V-shaped tubular members, split clamps mounted on said V-shaped members, a wheel supporting axle mounted in said clamps, an upper horizontal arm connecting the vertical portion of one side frame member to one leg portion of said seat frame, a first arm rest mounted on said upper arm, means operatively connected to said axle for driving the axle, a vertical housing mounted on one of said side frame members, and another arm rest supported by the housing and the other leg portion of said seat frame.

3. A wheel chair comprising first and second tubular side frame members, each of said side frame members including a horizontal portion, a vertical portion and a coil joining the vertical and horizontal portions, a foot platform supporting member secured to each coil, a clamp mounted on each of said supporting members and underlying said coils, a forward axle mounted in said clamps, a seat frame supported by and between said side frame members, an arm rest supporting bar joining the vertical portion of the first side member to the seat frame, an arm rest mounted on said bar, another arm rest between the vertical portion of the second side member and the seat frame, a driven sprocket mounted on one end of said axle, a bearing slidably mounted on the vertical portion of said second frame, a shaft journalled in said bearing, a drive sprocket on said shaft and overlying the driven sprocket, a

sprocket chain trained about the two sprockets, and a rear wheel support carried by the horizontal portions of said frames.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said rear Wheel support includes a pair of upwardly and rearwardly converging extensions on said horizontal portions, a vertical sleeve secured to the extensions, and a wheel supporting yoke having an upstanding portion rotatably supported in the sleeve.

JOHN A. PADJ EN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 312,411 Wallace Feb. 17, 1885 354,642 Linley et al Dec. 12, 1886 627,639 Eames June 27, 1899 2,431,112 Everest et al. Nov. 18, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1,661 Great Britain Oct. 14, 1881 17,244 Great Britain 1897 233,550 Great Britain May 14, 1925 

